US Government to Build Fly Reading Facility Near Border

The US government revealed plans on Wednesday to establish an $8.5 million fly breeding facility close to the US-Mexico border. This initiative aims to combat the threat posed by carnivorous parasites that can affect cattle.

The facility will be located at Moore Air Force Base in Texas. Here, millions of sterile male New World screwworms will be bred. Once released into the wild, these males can prevent females from laying eggs that result in harmful, meat-eating larvae.

Female New World screwworm flies lay their eggs on open wounds of animals. According to the USDA, these eggs then penetrate the meat, hatching into larvae, which can lead to serious, often fatal damage.

This Texas facility is notably the second of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, as reported by the Associated Press.

Recently, a surge in screwworm flies in Mexico has raised alarms, particularly because they have been spotted nearly 700 miles away from the tropical border. To address this issue, the USDA took action last month, halting the import of cattle, horses, and bison across the border.

In addition to this new facility, the USDA mentioned plans to establish another breeding center at the Texas location that could potentially produce up to 300 million flies weekly. They are also considering investing $21 million to turn another facility near the Mexico-Guatemala border into a breeding site, though it won’t be operational until late 2026.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins expressed confidence, stating, “The US has previously managed to eliminate New World screwworms, and we will do it again.” He emphasized the importance of addressing the threats these parasites pose to livestock, the economy, and food supply chains.

Historically, the US has effectively bred and eradicated New World screwworms from its territory. While treatments exist for infestations, concerns linger about the economic ramifications for farmers. Moreover, the larvae can also affect pets and humans.

According to the USDA, New World Screwworm flies are currently found in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and several South American countries.

Mexico’s Agriculture Secretary, Giulio Verdeguet, expressed optimism about resuming cattle exports, emphasizing cooperation with the US based on forthcoming assessments and reports from the USDA.

The USDA did not immediately respond to requests for further comments.